Perth welcomes Italian Sister City family for Silver anniversary

Posted on February 16, 2015
An official delegation from the Italian City of Vasto, led by Mayor Luciano Lapenna, has visited Council House to celebrate 25 years of friendship with Perth – Vasto’s only Sister City.
City of Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi spoke briefly in Italian before addressing the room of local Vastese community leaders; cultural exchange students; the son (Gianni) and granddaughter (Francesca) of the relationship’s founding Vastese father Silvio Petroro; and former Vasto Mayor who signed the agreement in 1989, Antonio Prospero.
“If this relationship is going to last another 25 years, it will be up to our young people to uphold the importance and foundations of this long lasting and historic friendship,” the Lord Mayor said.

Ms Scaffidi said the Sister City relationship was based on cultural ties, with significant numbers of migrants from the Abruzze region settled in Perth, but would develop further in line with the City’s recently adopted International Engagement Strategy.

“Perth is seeking to deepen the bonds of our relationship with Vasto to strengthen trade connections by facilitating increased opportunities which will help promote our City internationally,” Ms Scaffidi said.

The City of Perth’s sister city relationships aim to contribute to international peace and goodwill; encourage a wider understanding of other cultures; and foster economic development, tourism and trade relations.

Mayor Lapenna and delegation, whose last visit to Perth in 2010 coincided with the Australia Day Skyworks, arrived in Perth yesterday to be treated to The Incredible and Phenomenal Journey of the Giants to the Streets of Perth.

The rest of the delegation’s visit includes tours of AQWA and Parliament House; meeting with cultural exchange students and the Italian Consul; commemorative tree planting at Lake Vasto; and tours of the City’s surveillance centre and the Treasury Hotel development.

Media are invited to attend:

Commemorative Olive Tree Planting Ceremony and BBQ
with Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi and Mayor Luciano Lapenna
11:30am Wednesday 18 February at Lake Vasto, Ozone Reserve
RSVP essential to Di Star, City of Perth: di.star@cityofperth.wa.gov.au | 9461 3371